Ansell celebrates 50 years manufacturing Gammex surgical gloves

ISELIN, N.J. – Ansell last week announced its 50th year designing and manufacturing Gammex surgical gloves.

“2015 undoubtedly marks a year of achievement for Ansell and Gammex, but it also reminds us of the work we have ahead of us,” stated Tony Lopez, president and general manager of the Medical Global Business Unit at Ansell. “We must continue creating and innovating in order to provide OR nurses, surgeons and other healthcare workers with equipment that not only allows them to do their best work, but keeps them and their patients safe.”

Two years ago, Ansell celebrated the introduction of its proprietary Sensoprene formulation in its Gammex non-latex product offerings. The formulation offers a solution for Type 1 (latex) and Type IV (chemical) allergies while providing a level of sensitivity and comfort. Among healthcare providers, the incidence of latex allergies has been reported to be as high as 17% and glove-related chemical allergies as high as 33%.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary, Gammex is launching its newest glove with Sensoprene formulation – the Non-Latex Underglove. This unique surgical underglove sets a new standard for allergy management, and when used in combination with Gammex Non-Latex Sensitive surgical gloves, offers easy identification of a glove breach with its contrasting green color. Ansell also provides Gammex products with Antimicrobial Technology, which are designed to help address the problem of surgical site infections and help reduce the risk of microbial transmission. Though the products are only available for sale in select countries, Ansell is working with regulatory bodies across the globe to bring this technology to market.

Gammex surgical gloves were first introduced in 1965 by Harvey Ansell, the son of Ansell founder Eric Norman Ansell, who had the vision of creating and packaging disposable gloves already sterilized for use via gamma radiation. His dream became reality when Gammex gloves flooded the Australian market in 1966. By 1967, the Company was ready to penetrate offshore markets. Over the course of the next 50 years, new technologies, packaging and products launched under the Gammex brand would keep healthcare workers protected around the world.

To culminate the 50th Anniversary global campaign, Ansell has partnered with Direct Relief to set a goal of donating 50,000 pairs of gloves this year. Every message captured to its global eCard, will equate to a donation of 50 pairs of gloves. To join Ansell in celebrating this milestone and to sign the Anniversary eCard, visit: www.gammex50.com.

"Shawn Cline Tomasello and Benjamin Wolin are important additions to Diplomat's board of directors," said Phil Hagerman, chairman and CEO of Diplomat. "Shawn brings significant expertise in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, and her critical insight will be valuable as we evaluate opportunities for Diplomat. Benjamin's experience as the principal executive officer and a director of a company that recently completed an initial public offering provides him with unique insights into the dynamics and governance of a growing company."

Tomasello has experience and expertise in drug commercialization, business development, mergers and acquisitions and compliance from her employment. Tomasello most recently served as the chief commercial officer of Pharmacyclics, a pharmaceutical manufacturer recently acquired by AbbVie. From April 2005 to August 2014, Tomasello was employed at Celgene Corporation, initially as the VP sales and training and most recently as president of the Americas, hematology and oncology, where she was responsible for all aspects of the commercial organization encompassing multiple brands spanning 11 indications. Prior to joining Celgene Corporation, Tomasello was with Genentech, from 1989 through 2005. Her last position at Genentech was national director of hematology franchise from early 2003 to April 2005.

Wolin has expertise in technology, public company board governance, entrepreneurial and financial initiatives. Wolin is the co-founder, CEO and a member of the board of directors of Everyday Health, a provider of digital health and wellness solutions, since January 2002. From September 1999 until December 2001, Wolin served as VP production and technology for Beliefnet, an online provider of religious and spiritual information. Previously, Wolin served as web producer for Tribune Interactive, a multimedia corporation, and held several consulting positions with interactive companies.

NeedyMeds revamps, expands safe needle disposal website

GLOUCESTER, Mass. — NeedyMeds announced Tuesday that it had expanded and updated its safeneedledisposal.org in an effort to make it a comprehensive resource for information about proper disposal of needles and syringes.

“We spent over a year compiling information on the regulations and disposal sites for all 50 states," project lead Leah Zaroulis said. “We list over 2,600 disposal sites for home-generated sharps through out the country.”

The revamped and expanded anonymous website, which NeedyMeds took over from the Coalition for Safe Needle Disposal, is aimed at curtailing potential health hazards of sharps that haven’t been disposed of properly — including hepatitis and HIV. It contains information about pharmadeutical companies’ take-back programs and general information, as well as contacts for health and solid waste departments in different states.

“If properly disposed of, used sharps can be safely handled and destroyed,” NeedyMeds president Dr. Rich Sagall said. “The goal of safeneedledisposal.org is to help people learn the best way to minimize the risk to anyone who has to handle these potentially dangerous waste products.”

In addition to the site, NeedyMeds also has a hotline (800-643-1643) that people can call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

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